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Places of
interest in the West of Iceland.
Thingvellir National Park.
NO single place epitomizes the history of Iceland and
the Icelandic nation better than Thingvallavatn
is the largest natural lake in Iceland, with a surface
area of 83 km2.
The Thingvellir area forms part of the volcanic fissure
zone running right through Iceland.
In turn, this zone is part of the tectonic plate
boundaries of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which extend the
length
of the Atlantic from north to south.
The Lake Thingvallavatn biosphere clearly testifies to
the fact that it straddles the border
between the continents of Europe and America. The
greatest biological wonder at Thingvallavatn , however,
is its fish population.
No other lake in the world supports four separate
species of Arctic charr.
The most common species is the small planktivorous charr.
The piscivorous charr keeps to greater depths and
generally weighs 1-3 lbs but can reach 15 lbs. The
benthyvorous charr, typically 2-4 lbs, is a favorite
with anglers.
Dwarf charr live especially in fissures. Large numbers
of stickleback are found in the shallows.
Gjain (Gjáin) in
Thjorsardalur (Þjórsárdalur)
In Þjórsárdalur there are many sights worth seeing,
for example the
old Viking fram Stöng, the waterfalls
Hjálparfoss and Háifoss, and the place Gjáin which is an
extraordinary
work of nature.
Hengill mountain area.
The Hengill area is one of the largest geothermal areas
in Iceland, about 100 km2 in size.
Hengill is a cluster of mountains just outside
Reykjavik. One can find a natural hotspot where it is
possible to dip a toe or more in, and feel fatigue drain
from their bodies.
A number of scenic mountain tracks weave their way
trough the mountains, among few is mountain Skeggi or
Vörduskeggi 805 meters.
Earthquakes are frequent in the Hengill region but 2,000
years have
now passed since the last eruption.
A hike through one of the most powerful and impressive
geothermal
areas in Iceland, is well worth doing.
Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
The Glacier Snaefellsjokull is 1446 meters (over 4800
feet) above sea level and one of the world's best-known
glaciers.
Many people, all around the world, claim it to be one of
the earth's seven energy centers.
It has been a prominent theme of authors and inspired
the composition of
impressive works of literature. Worthy of mention is the
story written by
Nobel-prize winning author Halldor Laxness,
"Christianity Under the Glacier,"
which describes the special way of living here in the
past.
Also, the well-known story, "Journey to the Center of
the Earth," by French author, Jules Verne, describes the
glacier
as the entry used by his characters to travel to the
center
of the earth. A drive up on the glacier, on Snow-mobiles
or snow cats, between snow mounds, to about
1410 meters (over 4,600 feet) above sea level is
fantastic.
Hiking and camping in Snaefellsnes peninsula is
exciting. After a days walk on the glacier, there are
several
camping grounds like Budir and at Arnarstapi, both on
the southern part of Snaefellsnes.
The coast between Arnarstapi and Hellnar is noted for
its bizarre rock formations and its huge bird
population, the most
noticeable being Kittiwakes and Arctic Terns. From the
cliffs an occasional Razor-billed Auk may be seen
off-shore, and
beneath the cliffs Harlequin Ducks, while Red-necked
Phalaropes inhabit small ponds. A short distance beyond
Hellnar is
the bird cliff of Þúfubjarg, the remainder of a volcanic
crater, and south of Hellissandur one can take the route
to
Ondverdarnes to enjoy the bird cliffs there.
Langavatn in
Borgarbyggd.
This lake is in southern part of Langidalur in Mýrarsýsla.
To get to Langavatn you have take Highway 1 through
Borgarnes to Svignarskarð.
There you drive 13 km (8 miles) on left bank of river
Gljúfurá. Also it is possible to drive by river Langá to
the lake.
Information about the lake:
The lake covers an area of 5,1 km2 (1,9 mile2 ) and The
lake is at 215 m (133 feet) above sea level.
The lake is 36 m (118 feet) From the lake the river famous
Salmon river Langá runs to the south.
Where the river runs from the lake are very good places to
fish.
Heiðmörk Park.
Heiðmörk is an extremely popular recreational area.
Whether it's for a nice walk in the outdoors with the
whole family jogging, or a romantic picnic 'á deux' this
is the right spot!
In 1949 the Reykjavík Forestry Station began systematic
planting in Heiðmörk and since then, every summer
thousands of trees are planted.
If you have a special interest in plants or birds (or
both) you will find a great variety of them in Heiðmörk.
The waterfall Glymur is the highest waterfall of the
country, 200 meters (660 feet). From the edge of the
deep and short canyon, it cannot
be observed wholly. The only way to do that is to wade
upriver into the canyon, which is not recommendable for
everyone. Mountain Hvalfell and Lake Hvalvatn are
derived from the legend about the red headed whale
“Raudhofdi” (Redhead).
Mountain Botnsulur (1095m) is a cluster of peaks of an
extinct central volcano between the
Thingvellir area and The Whale Bay in the West.
The view from the peaks is beautiful. The mountain can
be climbed through out
the year but the climb requires caution
especially in the snowy areas on the narrow ridges with
the steep slopes on both sides.
The mountain is mainly climbed from Hvalfjordur where
you start the climb from Botnsdalur or the same
place as you where hiking towards the waterfall Glymur.
The ascent takes about three hours. Between mountain
Botnsulur and mountain Armannsfell is an old route
called Gagnheidi. Another such route Leggjarbrjotur just
west of mountain Botnsulur connects
the Thingvellir area and the valley Botnsdalur at the
end of the Whale Bay in the West.
Lake Hvalvatn has an area of 4,1 km², it reaches a depth
of 180meters and lies 378 m above mean sea level.
It is the second deepest lake of the country. Its
discharge is Botnsa, which spills into the Bay of Whales
(Hvalfiord).
The lake's surroundings are beautiful.
Near Borgarnes is the mountain Hafnarfjall which is a
very worthwhile mountain to climb. It is 845 meters
high.
Latrabjarg.
Cliff on Breidafjordur is Europe's western outpost,
ending
at Bjargtangar at a longitude of 24°32'0" W.
For fishermen, Latrabjarg can provide shelter from
northerly
storms, but the infamous Latrarost current stretching
out
from it also instills fear, with its swirling waters for
miles on end. Formed by the confluence of
strong currents, it plays a role in maintaining the
marine food chain by stirring up nutrients in the sea.
The Westford's.
This is probably the most exciting part of Iceland when
it comes to experience Iceland at its best.
Some call it the Wild-West, because of its pure and
unspoiled nature.
The area is still the most remote area of Iceland and
probably the most exciting. Virtually separated from the
rest of
Iceland, this region remained in may ways "a world
apart". Sparsely populated the regions nature is as wild
as
it was a hundred years ago. Majestic mountains, deep
blue fjords, millions of birds, seal and air like
champagne - all these attributes characterize the
Westford's and local people still have a deep
understanding
for the nature they live in. The "natural" silence is
the most impressing event for many travelers visiting
the Westford's.
The Westford's are a paradise for nature enthusiasts as
for those who simply want to enjoy the pleasure of
experiencing a place of complete silence.
The Osvör Maritime Museum. A rebuilt fisherman's hut,
along with an open-split shed for the drying
of fish, a six-man rowboat, a boat pulley, drying
grounds for salted fish and various sheds.
Objects and tools from the era of rowboats are to be
found both inside and outside the museum premises.
Land and culture.
Geographically the Westford's are divided up into 4
areas: the southern and northern fjords, Hornstrandir
nature reserve and the Strandir area. The north of the
Westford's consists of the area from the northern part
of Arnarfjordur through to the bottom of the "Djup"
including the Hornstrandir area. Several fishing
villages lie
along the coast but for the large area it is very
sparsely populated.
The region of Hornstrandir nature reserve, accessible
only
by boat, is a birdwatchers and hikes paradise. The area
has been completely uninhabited from the 1950's.
The northern part of the Westford's offers tourists a
wide range of services, hotels, guesthouses, camping
grounds
as well as tours and excursions, boat tours and ferries.
The coastal region of Strandir is traditionally
associated with magic and mystery and was formerly known
as
a place where outlaws sought refuge from the
authorities. All this is reflected in the rugged
coastline and the
mountains which make it easy to believe in elves, trolls
and other supernatural beings.
Bardastrond.
The Bardastrond area is a fascinating place to visit.
When traveling on the road, you are
driving the seashore most of the time. There are endless
possibilities for outdoor activities in this region.
One can start by stopping at the farm in Djupadalur
where there is a swimming pool and a farm guesthouse.
From there you can hike up the Djupadals river with its
many waterfalls amongst others there is one called
Gullfoss.
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